Electronically Detectable Display and Monitoring System

ABSTRACT

An electronically detectable display and monitoring system are disclosed. The display ( 10 ) includes a body ( 30 ) and an electronically detectable node ( 20 ). The body ( 30 ) has a first state and a second state. The electronically detectable display includes a signal blocking member that prevents detection of the electronically detectable node ( 20 ) when the body ( 30 ) is in the first state. The monitoring system is arranged to monitor the display for the electronically detectable node.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electronically detectable displayand monitoring system and to a method for remote electronic monitoringof item stocks and the like.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Maintaining stock levels within a store is a difficult and timeconsuming exercise. Most current stores rely on a computer-basedlogistics system in which the number of items shipped or sold isdecremented from that known to be held in stock. Once the stock levelreduces below a certain level then the item is re-stocked. Anotheralternative is for a visual inspection of stock levels by personnel.Where large numbers of different items are stocked, particularly if theyare spread out in different displays across a store, this is timeconsuming and also error-prone. However, in the case of stores where notall stock is placed out on shelves, this is a much easier way ofmaintaining store front stock levels than trying to rely on acomputer-based logistics system because you do not have to rely on acomputer system guessing how much stock is out in the store as opposedto within a warehouse or the like.

A more recent development in this area is that of intelligent shelvingsystems. Such shelving systems incorporate tag readers such as radiofrequency identifier (RFID) tag readers that are able to interrogatetags on articles placed on the shelves. Such systems can then be used toprovide an inventory of the items held on the shelves and can be used toidentify where restocking is required.

A particular problem with intelligent shelving systems is that of theexpense and inconvenience of replacing the existing shelving with newshelving that includes the tag readers and also providing the necessarycabling infrastructure and the like for the tag readers to communicatewith some central node. Understandably, most small to medium sizedbusinesses are reluctant to replace shelving systems that are otherwiseperfectly fit for use and these systems therefore have not beenparticularly popular.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided anelectronically detectable display including a body and an electronicallydetectable node, wherein the body has a first state and a second state,the electronically detectable display including a signal blocking memberthat prevents detection of the electronically detectable node when thebody is in the first state.

Preferably, the electronically detectable node comprises a RadioFrequency Identification, RFID, tag. Most preferably, the electronicallydetectable node is a passive RFID tag.

The first state of the body may be a collapsed state in which the bodyis substantially collapsed and the second state of the body is adeployed state, the body being resiliently biased towards the deployedstate.

The body may comprise a folded wedge in the collapsed state and a wedgein the deployed state.

The body may include an information sign arranged to be visible when thebody is the second state.

The signal blocking member may comprise a signal blocking surfacearranged to be positioned over and/or under the electronicallydetectable node when the body is in the first state and arranged to beremote of the electronically detectable node when the body is in thesecond state.

The surface may be metallic, it may include a metal paint or metal foillayer and/or it may be or include a detuning material.

The body preferably includes a resiliently sprung member arranged tobias the body towards the second state.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda monitoring system comprising a detector and one or more of the abovedescribed electronically detectable displays, the detector beinginstallable remotely of the one or more electronically detectabledisplays and being arranged to detect the electronically detectable nodeof one of the respective electronically detectable display when the bodyof the respective display is in its deployed state.

The monitoring system may further comprise a merchandising displayincluding one or more surfaces for carrying merchandise, themerchandising display further comprising one or more of theelectronically detectable displays.

The monitoring system may further comprise a remote data collectionsystem, wherein the monitoring system is arranged to communicate data ondetection of the electronically detectable nodes to the data collectionsystem.

The remote data collection system may be arranged to collate datareceived from said monitoring system and includes an interface forproviding access to at least a subset of said collated data.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is providedan electronically detectable display including a body and a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag, wherein the body has a collapsedstate and a deployed state and is resiliently biased towards thedeployed state, the electronically detectable display including a signalblocking member that prevents detection of the RFID tag when the body isin the collapsed state.

The body preferably comprises a folded wedge in the collapsed state anda wedge in the deployed state.

The body preferably includes an information sign arranged to be visiblewhen the body is the deployed state.

The signal blocking member preferably comprises a signal blockingsurface arranged to be positioned over and/or under the electronicallydetectable node when the body is in the collapsed state and arranged tobe remote of the electronically detectable node when the body is in thedeployed state.

The blocking signal surface is preferably part of the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail,by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b are perspective views of an electronically detectabledisplay according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 c is a perspective view of an electronically detectable displayaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2 a-2 e are perspective views of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 a, 1 band 1 c when in use;

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are schematic diagrams of monitoring systems accordingto embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are perspective views of elements of the monitoringsystem of FIG. 3 when in use;

FIGS. 5 a and 6 a are exploded views of electronically detectabledisplays according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 5 b and 6 b are, respectively, perspective views of the embodimentof FIGS. 5 a and 6 a; and,

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b are perspective views of a display stand including anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b are perspective views of an electronically detectabledisplay according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 a shows an electronically detectable display 10 in a first,non-deployed state. FIG. 1 b shows the display 10 in a second, deployed,state.

The display 10 includes a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Tag 20fixed to, or integrated within, a body 30.

The body 30 has a collapsed state (as shown in FIG. 1 a) and a deployedstate (as shown in FIG. 1 b). Whilst one or more articles of produce orthe like are placed on top of the body 30, it remains in its collapsedstate. However, the body 30 is resiliently biased towards its deployedstate and as soon as there are no articles of produce on top of it, itreturns towards the deployed state.

In the deployed state, an appropriate sign 31 such as “sorry, this itemis out of stock” is visible.

FIG. 1 c is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention which, in addition to the features of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b has asresiliently sprung member.

In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 c, the body 30 is a foldingstructure (made of cardboard or other low-cost material) that has aresiliently sprung member 35 which is arranged to allow it to expandwhen no weight is placed upon it. This expansion creates a wedge shapedsign that provides the customer with an “out of stock” message.

When items are in stock (sandwiches, drinks, etc.), they are placed ontop of the body 30, forcing the wedge to collapse and conceal the “outof stock” message, however, the backing of the message contains ametallic paint or foil layer which, when compressed next to the tag(which is in the lower section of the body 30) causes the RF signals tobe blocked—hence the tag will not be reported. Therefore a label thatonly reports it's “presence” when no objects are placed on top ofit—i.e. out of stock.

The displays 10 could optionally be provided in different sizes andtensions to allow for different weights of object.

The body 30 of the display 10 will preferably need securing to the shelfto prevent movement. This could simply be via low/medium-tackdouble-sided tape—thus allowing it to be removed when necessary.

FIGS. 2 a-2 e are perspective views of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 a, 1 band 1 c when in use.

The RFID tag 20 is positioned on the body 30 such that when the body 30is in the collapsed state, the RFID tag 20 is sandwiched betweensurfaces 31, 32 of the body 30. The material of the body 30 is selectedsuch that one or more of the sandwiching surfaces 31, 32 inhibit passageof radio waves of at least the frequency used by the RFID tag 20,thereby providing one or more signal blocking members that preventdetection of the RFID tag. Alternatively, an additional layer ofmaterial such as metallic paint or a metal foil may be applied to one ormore of the sandwiching surfaces 31, 32 before the RFID tag 20 isattached. In this manner, when the body 30 is in the collapsed state,the sandwiching layers 31, 32 block RF signals reaching the RFID tag 20rendering the tag 20 substantially undetectable. Once the body 30 entersits deployed state, the sandwiching layers 31, 32 no longer block RFsignals and the RFID tag 20 and the RFID tag 20 becomes detectable.

In order to keep the RFID tag as small as possible, it is preferred thatit is a passive tag. As such, it needs no power source and obtains powerto operate from a received signal.

The body 30 preferably includes adhesive or mounting means (not shown)on its base for adhesion or mounting to shelves or displays.

In one implementation, a simple RFID tag detector may be installedremotely from the body 30 (in the ceiling, top of a display cabinet orsomewhere else) with a substantially un-obscured line of sight of theRFID tag 20 when the body 30 is in its deployed state.

Preferably, the transmission power of the detector is controlled suchthat it is only able to detect the body 30 when there is an un-obscuredline of sight between the detector and body 30. Optionally, a number ofpower settings may be provided for the detector such that it is able todetect a body 30 in the presence of a limited, predeterminedobstruction.

FIG. 3 a is a schematic diagram of a monitoring system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

The monitoring system includes one or more of the electronicallydetectable displays 10 discussed above, a remote detector 100 and acontroller 110.

In use, the detector 100 is installed remotely of the display(s) 10. Ina typical scenario, it may be ceiling-mounted, fixed to the under sideof the top of a display cabinet or positioned on top of an oppositefacing shelving system.

Preferably, the RFID tag 20 of the display 10 is arranged to identifyitself to the detector. For example, it may modulate the received signalin a predetermined way as is known in the RFID arts.

Once an RFID tag 20 has been found by the detector and identified, thedetector can communicate this information to the controller 110. Thecontroller may be integrated within the detector 100, locally connectedor remotely connected via a wired or wireless network. The controllermay be (or be connected to) a stock control system or the like.Optionally, the controller may trigger an alert to a restocking terminalto prompt a member of staff to restock the particular articlesassociated with the body.

The detector 100 preferably includes a mount for mounting the detectorremotely of the surface to be monitored and also includes a controllableantenna 101. Preferably, the antenna 101 is controllable both inrelation to transmission power and direction of signal transmission.

FIG. 3 b is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, the controller 110 is arranged tocommunicate collected data to a data collection system 120. A controller(or a group of controllers is designated as a site 150.

The data collection system 120 includes a data repository 130 and isarranged to communicate with a restocking system 140 associated with thelocation of the detector 100 and displays 10. It will be appreciatedthat controllers 110 at multiple different sites 150 will supplycollected data to the data collection system 120.

Upon receipt of collected data from a controller 110, the datacollection system 120 updates a data record in the repository 130associated with the respective display 10, controller 110 and/or itsassociated site 150. If the data record indicates that a predeterminedthreshold has been met (for example, an item is out of stock or hasreached a minimum stocking level), a communication is sent to therestocking system 140 to trigger the necessary action to be taken.Optionally, a certain threshold may be set that causes re-ordering of aparticular article for the site 150. The threshold in this case would beselected in order to ensure the new stock arrived before stock ran out.

In addition to maintaining a data record and providing restockingtriggers, the data collection system is also arranged to collatereceived collected data. There are many ways in which the data could becollated. For example, data on particular articles may be collated toshow sales in a particular site or set of sites 140. In this manner, ifthe same article was placed in a number of places throughout the store,a site could obtain data from the data collection system showing whichpositions were used most frequently. Similarly, a regional manager couldsee performance of sites broken down by product, product type, times ofmost activity etc. A further option would be for the data collectionsystem 120 to anonymize the collated data and to offer it for sale toshow sale of general (or specific) product type by region, busiest shoptimes in an area etc. It will be appreciated that all manner ofmarketing and analysis data could be obtained.

Preferably, the data collection system 120 is arranged to communicatewith a remote site 160 (via the web or some other user interface) tocommunicate the collated data.

In such an arrangement, the installation and/or operation of the systemat the site 150 could be subsidized by sales of the collated data fromthe data collection system 120.

In use, the detector 100 is installed remotely of the displays 10 to bemonitored. In the example of FIG. 4 a, a display 10 a-10 p is positionedin the base of each of a number of bins 200 of a display stand 210.

FIG. 4 a shows a fully loaded display stand 210 in which none of theidentification nodes 10 a-p can be detected by the detector 100 whilstFIG. 2 b shows the situation where some of the articles 220 have beenremoved and identification nodes 10 b and 10 k can be detected.

Preferably, the identification nodes are arranged to identify themselvesto the detector 20. For example, they may modulate the received signalin a predetermined way as is known in the RFID arts.

The identification nodes 30 are adhered or otherwise mounted to existingshelves. The shelves can then be loaded with articles. Theidentification nodes may be positioned beneath the articles loaded ontothe shelves or behind the articles. Obviously, in most circumstances theidentification node should only be detected when no articles are presenton the shelves. Thus, if the articles are stacked one on top of eachother then the identification nodes can be placed beneath the articles.However, if the articles are placed one in front of each other on theshelves then the identification node would need to be placed behind themsuch that it was only un-obscured and in the line of sight of thedetector 100 when all of the articles have been removed. As indicatedabove, the power of the detector 100 may be controllable such that itcan detect an identification node in the presence of a limited amount ofobstruction (such as a predetermined number of stacked or interposedarticles in the line of sight).

FIG. 5 a is an exploded view of an electronically detectable displayaccording to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 b is anillustration of the embodiment of FIG. 5 a in use.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5 a and 5 b, an RFID tag 20 mounted on a tagplate 33 which is sandwiched between a front surface 31 and a rearsurface 32 of a body 30. The tag plate 33 includes a retaining stop 34and a pull tab 35. In use, the tag plate 33 can be pulled out from thesandwiching surfaces 31 and 32 by manual force using the tab 35 so as toexpose the tag 20. The retaining stop 34 prevents the plate 33 frombeing pulled completely from the display 10. An appropriate message canbe adhered or otherwise printed on the plate 33. A detuning material iseither integrated into the front surface 31 or otherwise adhered orsecured to the front surface to block radiation to the tag 20 when it iswithin the sandwiching surfaces.

FIG. 6 a is an exploded view of an electronically detectable displayaccording to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 b is anillustration of the embodiment of FIG. 6 a in use.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6 a and 6 b, an RFID tag 20 mounted on a rearsurface 32 of a display 10. A front member 40 is arranged to slide alongthe length (or height) of the rear surface 32 and is secured in place bya retaining plate 41. A detuning material 42 is either integrated intothe front member 40 or otherwise adhered or secured to the front member40 to block radiation to the tag 20 when the front member is slid overthe tag 20. One or more appropriate messages can be adhered or otherwiseprinted on the front member 40 and/or rear surface 32.

It will be appreciated that other display mechanisms could also be usedin embodiments of the present invention. For example, gravity feddisplays for drinks, spice jars and the like could include a displaythat expands with the assistance of gravity when none or only a limitednumber of articles remain. Similarly, displays could be integrated intoshelf-ready packaging or so-called “outers” (self-contained articlestands and displays ranging from shelf based packages to standalonestands such as the type illustrated in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b).

In other embodiments, displays could include mechanical or elastomericresilient springs to assist in expanding the display into a deployedstate. Such an arrangement could be used on display pegs where multiplearticles are hung on a wall for manual selection by a shopper.

In yet further embodiments, a number of displays 10 may be applied orintegrated within a single stand 300 such that each tag is detected asstocking levels change. One such embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 7 aand 7 b. In the illustrated embodiment, articles 310 are removed from astand 300. As articles are removed, displays 10 a-10 c are uncoveredrevert to their deployed shape such that its RFID tag 20 can bedetected.

Although displays have been discussed purely with reference to RFIDtags, it will be appreciated that other technologies are equallyapplicable. Similarly, although only displays that are adhered orotherwise mounted to shelves or the backs of shelving systems have beendiscussed, it will be appreciated that such displays could be integratedwithin article merchandising. The article merchandising need not be inthe form of shelving, it could be any structure capable of retaining oneor more articles.

Low cost detectors are preferably placed in the ceiling diagonallyopposite the shelf or display to collect data from tags that are able totransmit. Each tag is preferably programmed with information that can beused to identify about what product should be on top of it.

Using this concept, a whole range of shelves could be equipped forstock-out notifications at very low cost.

Data reported from the display can be fed to the external systems forprocessing and collating or to existing in store systems.

Out of stock notifications obviously allow staff to quickly replenishitems once sold, however, collating the notifications will provide avaluable set of marketing data to retailers on the buying habits oftheir customers, and therefore aid in their servicing, production,targeted-marketing, etc.

The system is so low-cost that retailers could easily afford one systemper store. In one implementation, the system is installed at little orno charge to the retailer and data is reported to a central processingsystem that can provide the marketing data discussed above at a premiumcharge to customers.

Combining this system with other systems such as video based peoplecounter could allow provision of a range of statistical reports for eachstore.

It will be appreciated that although the above embodiments have beendescribed with respect to commercial vending environments, they could beequally applied in any environment including domestic and industrialenvironments.

1. An electronically detectable display comprising: a body having a first state and a second state; an electronically detectable node; and a signal blocking means for preventing detection of the electronically detectable node when the body is in the first state.
 2. An electronically detectable display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronically detectable node comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.
 3. An electronically detectable display according to claim 2, wherein the electronically detectable node is a passive RFID tag.
 4. An electronically detectable display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first state of the body is a collapsed state in which the body is substantially collapsed and the second state of the body is a deployed state, the body being resiliently biased towards the deployed state.
 5. An electronically detectable display according to claim 4, wherein the body comprises a folded wedge in the collapsed state and a wedge in the deployed state.
 6. An electronically detectable display according to claim 1, wherein the body includes an information sign arranged to be visible when the body is the second state.
 7. An electronically detectable display according to claim 1, wherein the signal blocking means comprises a signal blocking surface arranged to be positioned over and/or under the electronically detectable node when the body is in the first state and arranged to be remote of the electronically detectable node when the body is in the second state.
 8. An electronically detectable display according to claim 7, wherein the surface is metallic.
 9. An electronically detectable display according to claim 8, wherein the surface includes a metal paint or metal foil layer.
 10. An electronically detectable display according to claim 7, wherein the surface includes a detuning material.
 11. An electronically detectable display according to claim 1, wherein the body includes a resiliently sprung member arranged to bias the body towards the second state.
 12. A monitoring system comprising a detector and one or more electronically detectable displays, each electronically detectable display including: a body and an electronically detectable node, wherein the body has a first state and a second state, the electronically detectable display including a signal blocking means for preventing detection of the electronically detectable node when the body is in the first state; wherein the detector is installable remotely of the one or more electronically detectable displays and is arranged to detect the electronically detectable node of one of the respective electronically detectable display when the body of the respective display is in its deployed state.
 13. A monitoring system as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a merchandising display including one or more surfaces for carrying merchandise, the merchandising display further comprising one or more of the electronically detectable displays.
 14. A monitoring system as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a remote data collection system, wherein the monitoring system is arranged to communicate data on detection of the electronically detectable nodes to the data collection system.
 15. A monitoring system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the remote data collection system is arranged to collate data received from said monitoring system and includes an interface for providing access to at least a subset of said collated data.
 16. An electronically detectable display comprising: a body having a collapsed state and a deployed state and is resiliently biased towards the deployed state; a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag supported on the body; and a signal blocking means for preventing detection of the RFID tag when the body is in the collapsed state.
 17. An electronically detectable display according to claim 16, wherein the body comprises a folded wedge in the collapsed state and a wedge in the deployed state.
 18. An electronically detectable display according to claim 16, wherein the body includes an information sign arranged to be visible when the body is the deployed state.
 19. An electronically detectable display according to claim 16, wherein the signal blocking means comprises a signal blocking surface arranged to be positioned over and/or under the electronically detectable node when the body is in the collapsed state and arranged to be remote of the electronically detectable node when the body is in the deployed state.
 20. An electronically detectable display according to claim 19, wherein the blocking signal surface is part of the body. 